USI Rugby places second in Oak Leaf Tournament

USI Men's Rugby Club posing after the playing in the championship match.

September 23, 2013

Nashville, Tenn. -- After playing 225 minutes of rugby this past weekend, the USI Men's Rugby Club placed second in the Vanderbilt Oak Leaf Tournament after losing in the championship match to the University of Alabama.

The USI Men's Rugby Club overall record for the fall season is now 6-1 overall, 1-0 in conference. 

USI was invited to participate in the tournament and was the only Division III team at the event. This was the first time that USI had participated in the Oak Leaf Tournament. 

The tournament hosted 10 teams including USI, other teams included the University of Kentucky, Vanderbilt University and Tennessee Tech University.

Every team that USI played against in the tournament is Division I.

The Vanderbilt Oak Leaf Tournament was held at Vanderbilt University and took place Sept. 20-22.

USI's participation in the tournament started on Saturday as they faced off against their first opponent, the Univeristy of Memphis. 

The Screaming Eagles scored five tries in its contest against Memphis, the final score of the match was 29-7. 

Doug Rose, Tyler Duke, Tyler Pipes, and Garrett Wardell each scored a try against Memphis. Pipes and  Justin Mizen successfully made their conversion  kicks in the match.

USI's second match was against Middle Tennessee State University, they would defeat MTSU 17-10.

Justin Morris, Rose, George Bristow and Duke would all score points for USI in the contest.

The third and final match for USI on Saturday was the University of Tennessee. USI fought hard against the bigger Tennessee to come away with a victory and a final score of 3-0.

USI was the No. 1 seed at the end of Saturday's portion of the tournament and would continue on to the semi-finals where they would face the University of Kentucky.

This wasn't the first time that USI had faced off against UK, last fall both teams participated in friendly match at USI. The Screaming Eagles would come away with that victory.

During USI's contest with UK at the Oak Leaf, Pipes would score a drop goal. This is USI's first drop goal in the history of its program.

USI would score two tries against UK, winning the match 15-7.

Duke and Rose would score tries against UK, Bristow converted one conversion during the game.

The Screaming Eagles's victory against UK advanced them to the championship game against the University of Alabama. 

USI's most physical match of the tournament, USI would ultimately come up short in the contest. Alabama would win 13-5.

Ray Van would score the only try for USI during its contest against Alabama.

The USI Men's Rugby Club's next match is noon, Saturday Sept. 28 at home against Indiana State University. This will be the club's second conference match of the fall season.

The match will take place at the club's game field which is on USI's campus (Clarke Lane). Every home game is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, we encourage attendees to bring chairs.

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About USI Rugby

USI Men’s Rugby Club was founded in 1991 at the University of Southern Indiana. USI Rugby won the 2012 NSCRO Indiana State Championship for Division III. They participate in matches in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.    

For more information:   
Website: www.usirugby.com
Facebook: USI Rugby Club
Twitter: @usirugbyclub   
Instagram: @usirugby

For inquiries regarding public relations or media matters contact Public Relations Officer, Roberto Campos.  (317) 523-8246 
roberto.campos828@gmail.com